By Phil Whipple,Staff Writer

PORTLAND – After a 13-year absence, NASCAR is returning to Oxford Plains Speedway. The Fisher Snow Plows 150 will take the green flag at 8 p.m. Saturday night, effectively bringing the Busch North Series back to its birthplace.

Speedway officials held a pre-race news conference Thursday with three former Busch North champions in attendance. Kelly Moore, the 1995 champion and all-time leader in wins, poles and starts; Dave Dion, a three-time Oxford 250 winner and the 1996 series champion; and 2001 champion Mike Olsen, of North Haverhill, N.H., were on hand to discuss this weekend’s race.

Also present was two-time Busch North Series champion Dick McCabe, who will serve as Grand Marshall for the race. McCabe, of Kennebunkport, carried the Fisher colors to title runs in 1992 and 1993. McCabe will arrive at the track in a Blackhawk helicopter, courtesy of the Maine Air National Guard.

Oxford played a key role in the development of the original Busch Grand National North Series in 1987. In 1989, seven races – almost half of the 15-race schedule – were run at Oxford. There were five races in 1987 and 1988, four in 1990 and 1992, and three in 1991.

“It’s been a long time since this series raced at Oxford,” Oxford owner Bill Ryan Jr. said. “Our fans have long expressed an interest in seeing NASCAR return, and we’re thrilled to be able to make it happen.”

It was on Sept. 5, 1992, that Tony Hirschman recorded the last NASCAR victory at Oxford.

“Many of our current fans have fond memories of those old BGNN events,” said Ryan. “Today’s Busch North Series features a great mix of veterans like Dion and Dale Shaw, along with rising young stars like Ryan Moore. We think it will make for an exciting race on Saturday night, one that should equal or exceed those held in the series’ formative years.”

Dion has a rich history at Oxford, dating back to the early 1970s when he used to run the old Getty Open races.

“After struggling for the first few years, we finally won in the 1975 Oxford 250,” said Dion. “It was the biggest race of the year, and it was special. We’ve always had good fan support at Oxford, and it’s in the heart of our sponsor’s market area.”

Dion has enjoyed a 17-year relationship with Berlin City Ford, one of northern New England’s largest dealerships.

“They came on board with us for a five-race deal at Oxford to test the waters of motorsports marketing,” Dion said. “I’m pleased that they’re still with us today, and with their store in Portland, I’d like to do well for them Saturday night.”

Moore recorded Busch North Series victories at Oxford in 1987 and 1991. He says the tricky surface will make for intense racing Saturday night.

“I tested there recently, and it is going to be a little dicey in the outside lane early on,” he explained. “I’m hoping that as the race progresses, maybe 50-75 laps in, we’ll get some rubber laid down and be able to run comfortably.”

How well that outside groove develops will determine how much side-by-side racing develops.

For the 2005 season, NASCAR introduced a new Goodyear bias-ply tire for the Busch North teams, and reaction has been positive overall.

“The tire took some time to get used to,” says Olsen. “But overall, it holds up well and provides good bite. I think it will hook up good on Oxford’s smooth surface, but can tell you better after the first practice.”

Two weeks ago, NASCAR implemented a new double-file restart policy in the Busch North Series. The idea was to enhance side-by-side racing for the fans, while also keeping lapped cars away from the leaders. Reaction has been positive, especially from the frontrunners.

Spectator gates open Saturday at 2 p.m., with Busch Pole Qualifying slated for 4:15 p.m. The race will be televised live on HDNet, then shown at a later date on the Speed Channel.